GENERAL GUIDELINES

Try to move on a weekday if possible when banks, utitlity companies and government offices are open. It makes life easier. Leave the utilities connected for a few days after you leave if you have to go back and clean up.

FOUR WEEKS BEFORE

• Establish a budget and a log and save your receipts as they may be tax deductable
• Get several quotes from different moving companies as they can vary.
• Book your moving date well in advance
• Go to the Post Office and fill out their change of address form so that your mail will be forwarded
• Send out change of address cards to:

  * Family and friends.
  * Banks, insurance companies, and other financial institutions.
  * Department of Motor Vehicles.
  * Charge card and credit card companies.
  * Doctors, dentists, and other service providers.
  * State and Federal Tax authorities and any other government agencies as needed.
  * For publications follow their change-of-address instructions.

• Pack separately your Vital Records ( passport, birth certificates, marriage certificates, medical, insurance, DMV, school, tax, etc.) and place in a safe and accessible place so that you know where they are when you arrive at the other end.
• Donate or sell any items you will not be moving.
  
• For long distance moves, make your travel arrangements well in advance, or if driving map out the route.
• Make a map of your new neighborhood to familiarize yourself and your family with your new area.

THREE WEEKS BEFORE

• Get together all packing materials.
• Begin packing items you will not be using.
• Service automobiles.

TWO WEEKS BEFORE

• Recruit help for moving day if needed.
• Contact Utility companies and schedule disconnection dates.
• Plan for special needs of infants & small children.
• Consult a veterinarian about pet transportation.
• Cancel any home delivery service(s).
• Contact telephone and utility companies and set up service at your new. address.
• Transfer bank accounts to your new area.
• Set aside items you will need when you arrive at your new home.
• Start packing and storing the remainder of household goods.
• Start using food from the freezer.

ONE WEEK BEFORE

• Pick-up items you've loaned out or have had serviced.
• Return borrowed items (including videos, library books, etc.).
• Transfer prescriptions to pharmacy in new area.
• Drain fuel from power equipment and dispose of other flammable. material.
• Defrost refrigerator & freezer.
• Pack a travel kit.

MOVING DAY

• Carry enough cash or travelers checks to cover cost of moving & initial living expense.
• Carry enough cash or travelers checks to cover cost of moving & initial living expenses.
• Inventory all items & boxes as they are loaded onto the truck.
• Walk through the house, checking closets & other storage areas.
• Lock all windows & doors.
• Check that all appliances are off & leave refrigerator/freezer door ajar.
• Leave a note so that the next occupant can reach you.
• Leave all keys needed by new occupant.
• Turn off lights & heat.
• Notify neighbors/police that the premises are vacant.
• Empty and defrost the freezer.

PACKING TIPS

• Don't try to pack everything at once. Choose an area where you will pack ahead of time and box up a few things each day.
• Mark the contents on the outside of each box and indicate in which room it should go. Always boldly indicate FRAGILE on boxes that contain breakable and/or valuable items.
• Pack all breakables and liquids separately. Seal all medicines and oilier containers to prevent leaking and place in leak proof bags or containers.
• Fill drawers with light items: shirts, under- wear, blankets, pillowcases etc.
• Pack items you know you'll need (sheets, towels, toiletries, tissues and a change of clothes) in your clothes hamper on moving day and you'll know just where to find them at your new place!
• Use wardrobe boxes! Not only can you move clothes directly from the closet, but there's room on the bottom of the box for shoes, throw pillows and linens.
• Put plastic bags around the hoses of your washing machine and secure them with rubber bands to prevent leakage in transit.
• Transport any plants personally. If necessary, contact a local florist for guidance about preparing and packing your plants. Load houseplants last and unload them first.
• Take special care when transporting your pets. Make sure they are kept in a well ventilated cage, away from drafts or extreme temperatures. If moving locally, you may want your pets to spend moving day with a friend. Animals can become confused and frightened during a move.
• Anything that will be difficult to replace should be transported with you on moving day (jewelry, cameras, documents, etc.).
• Wrap lamp shades separately with clean, nonprinted packing paper. Put two or three in a large box. They'll stay clean and won't get crushed.

LINKS

Moving Companies

ABF	www.abfs.com
Moving Company Resource	www.homebulletin.net
Atlas Moving	www.atlasworldgroup.com
North American Van Lines	www.northamericanvanlines.net
Transamerican Van Lines	www.transamericanvanlines.com

Self Storage Facilities

123 Movers	Many locations in Myrtle Beach www.123movers.com
Martin Self Storage	337 Jesse Street Myrtle Beach, SC 29579 www.martinselfstorage.com	843-236-6333

 

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